RANCH, March 18 -- I An area commander of the banned People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), Praful Munda, alias Habil Munda, 30, surrendered before the Khunti Police on Wednesday, officials said.

Munda, who carried a Rs.1 lakh bounty, laid down his arms in the presence of senior officials, citing the state's rehabilitation policy and a desire to return to a normal life.

Munda joined the left-wing extremist movement at the age 16 and has 21 FIRs registered against him for various criminal offences. Explaining his decision to leave the outfit, he stated that he had become disillusioned with the path of violence and wanted to rejoin the social mainstream.

"I realised that violence only brings destruction and leads nowhere. I want to l...